Abruzzo(UK: /æˈbrʊtsoʊ/,[5]US: /ɑːˈbruːtsoʊ,
Abruzzo is considered a region of Southern Italy in terms of its culture, language, history and economy, although geographically it may also be considered central.[8]The Italian Statistical Authority (ISTAT) deems it to be part of Southern Italy, partly because of Abruzzo’s historic association with the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.[8]
Abruzzo is known as “the greenest region in Europe” as almost half of its territory, the largest in Europe,[9]is set aside as national parks and protected nature reserves. There are three national parks, one regional park, and 38 protected nature reserves. These ensure the survival of 75% of Europe’s living species, including rare species such as the small wading dotterel, the golden eagle, the Abruzzo (or Abruzzese) chamois, the Apennine wolfand the Marsican brown bear.[10]Abruzzo is also home to Calderone, Europe’s southernmost glacier.[11]
Human settlements in Abruzzo have existed since at least the Neolithictimes. A skeleton from Lama dei Peligni in the province of Chietidates back to 6,540 BC under radiometric dating.[13]The name Abruzzo appears to be derivative of the Latin word “Aprutium“. In Roman times, the region was known as Picenum, Sabina et Samnium, Flaminia et Picenum, and Campania et Samnium.[14]The region was known as Aprutium in the Middle Ages, arising from four possible sources: it is a combination of Praetutium, or rather of the name of the people Praetutii, applied to their chief city, Interamnia, the old Teramo.[15]
Many cities in Abruzzo date back to ancient times. Corfinio was known as Corfinium when it was the chief city of the Paeligni, and later was renamed Pentima by the Romans. Chieti is built on the site of the ancient city of Teate, Atriwas known as Adria. Teramo, known variously in ancient times as Interamnia and Teramne, has Roman ruins which attract tourists.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, there were a string of invasions and rulers in the region, including the Lombards, Byzantines, Muslims, and Hungarians. Between the 9th and 12th centuries, the region was dominated by the popes. Subsequently, the Normans took over, and Abruzzo became part of the Kingdom of Sicily, later the Kingdom of Naples. Spainruled the kingdom from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries. The FrenchBourbon dynasty took over in 1815, establishing the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, and ruled until Italian unification(also known as the Risorgimento[16]) in 1860.[17]
Until 1963, Abruzzo was part of the Abruzziregion with Molise. The term Abruzzi(plural of Abruzzo) derives from the time when the region was part of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. The territory was administered as Abruzzo Citeriore(nearer Abruzzo) and Abruzzo UlterioreI and II (farther Abruzzo I and II) from Naples, the capital of the kingdom.[14]Abruzzo Citeriore is now Chieti province. Teramo and Pescara provinces now comprise what was Abruzzo Ulteriore I. Abruzzo Ulteriore II is now the province of L’Aquila.
In the twentieth century, war had a great impact on the region. During the Second World War, Abruzzo was on the Gustav Line, part of the German’s Winter Line. One of the most brutal battles was the Battle of Ortona. Abruzzo was the location of two prisoner of war camps, Campo 21 in Chieti,[18]and Campo 78 in Sulmona. The Sulmona camp also served as a POW camp in World War 1; much of the facility is still intact and attracts tourists interested in military history.
From Wikipedia
The regional capital of Abruzzo is L’Aquila. There are four provinces in Abruzzo: Pescara, Chieti, Teramo, and L’Aquila. The first persons to settle in Abruzzo belonged to an Italic tribe called the Picenians. Early settlers formed small communities based mainly on agriculture and fishing. Little in the way of trade or commerce flowed through Abruzzo for quite some time because the nearby sea was difficult to negotiate.
The economy of Abruzzo is still largely based on agriculture and animal husbandry. Chief crops include carrots, potatoes, spinach, peppers, tomatoes, figs and plums.
There is a significant amount of olives andtable grapefarming but less wine production than what seems appropriate for the area. Sheep herding and rearing in its traditional migratory form (transumanza) is still practiced, however it is becoming less and less common as sheep are being replaced by cattle in many areas. Fishing is still widely practiced. Though Abruzzo has dense forests there is little logging conducted because there are few tall trees. There are industries in selected areas including engineering, electrotechnicals, chemicals, paper, textiles, clothing, building materials, glass, tanning, and foodstuffs.
The Abruzzo economy is fairly modest at present but is expanding due to the addition of hydroelectric power and modern road and rail systems post WWII and current improvements in communication and information technologies. The agricultural industry is also noticing a shift from small privately owned farms to larger farming cooperatives. This change, as well as improvements in production technologies has lead to an increase in revenues generated from agriculture in the region. Tourism in Abruzzo is also increasing as people are discovering its old world charms.
Abruzzo is picturesque in its scenery. Many old villages were abandoned and remain largely intact and the country side is rich with historic sites. It is often said that Abruzzo has as many castles as it does sheep. Most of this sleepy region has remained lock in medieval times making Abruzzo the first stop for those seeking to take a glance at the past or a chance to see nature as it was hundreds of years ago, unspoiled and perfect.
The region can be divided into two parts. The western part of the region is mountainous; the eastern portion of the region consists mostly of rolling foothills slowly sloping down to long stretches of wide, sandy coastline. The three main rivers in Abruzzo, the Aterno-Pescara, the Sangro and the Vomano flow from the mountains down to the Adriatic Sea carving deep gorges into the country side.
Because of the proximity to the Tyrrhenian Sea the mountains endure heavy rain and snowfall and low temperatures all year round. There is excellent skiing in the region.
The Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, an impressive national park founded in 1922, is host to every variety plant and animal imaginable and considered the most important park in Italy. No other park in Italy is better developed for camping and recreational activities.
Great stands of beech, oak, and birch can be found in the park along with beautiful wild flowers of every color and design. The brown bear of the region along with wolves, eagles, and large wild cats find refuge in the park, making Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo a haven for vanishing species.
While Abruzzo is well known for its wonderful ski resorts it also hosts many lavish beach resorts on its many sandy beaches. Tourists can be delighted by any number of adventurous activites. Local restaurants serve only the best in fresh caught fish and mollusks prepared in every imaginable way.
Those who wish to avoid well developed holiday resort areas will find solace in any number of small attractive towns scattered throughout the region. Modern roads have made it possible for tourists to enjoy all the sites and visit any of the gorgeous stone castles dotting the country side.
Medieval fortresses built for the protection of the village inhabitants have remain untouched and unchanged for many generations making them an important link to Abruzzo’s past. Small chapels are also sprinkled over the land, each one home to stunning architecture and beautiful religious relics. It is amazing that in Abruzzo one can see Italy as it was during the height of the Renaissance area.
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